Burglar Thwarted But He Eludes Police

Charles County Sheriff’s Deputies cordoned off Nelson Drive and Ripley Road for several hours Wednesday in the hope of cornering the suspected burglar of a La Plata residence. 

On Wednesday morning a Hawthorne Road resident noticed a burglary in progress at a neighbor’s home and called the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).  When police arrived on the scene at 9:20 a.m., they discovered the home occupied by one person who hadn’t encountered the intruder.

With the help of witnesses, officers identified a suspect and got a description of his vehicle.  Deputies found the suspect’s truck nearby Nelson Drive.

According to CCSO representative, Kristen Timko, officers believed the suspect was armed and inside his home at the time.  They secured a perimeter around Nelson Dr. and Ripley Road while they waited for a search warrant.  La Plata residents called The Bay Net to report two helicopters circling the area in a search-like pattern.

Only a few residents who lived on Nelson Drive were allowed to access to it via Ripley Road.  CCSO asked Charles County Public Schools to keep even resident children out of the area and reroute buses around the affected roads.

CCPS representative Katie O’Malley-Simpson told The Bay Net that several students at Lackey High School, Matthew Henson Middle School and Gail-Bailey Elementary were affected by the re-routing.  The affected students were not allowed into the perimeter.  They stayed at school until a parent collected them.  A couple of late-dismissing Gail-Bailey students were able to ride the bus as usual after the incident was over. 

Shortly after 3 p.m., officers received their search warrant and the Emergency Services Team entered the suspect’s residence.  He was not in the house, so deputies opened the perimeter to normal use.

Timko told The Bay Net that additional details will be available as the investigation progresses.